Location : South India
Major Attractions : Backwaters, Beaches, Ayurveda
Best time to Visit : Throughout the year


About Kerala
Situated in the extreme southern region of India, Kerala is often sobriquet God's Own Country for its immense natural beauty that continues to attract thousands of visitors to this seaside paradise. Sandwiched between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, Kerala is spread over an area of 38,900 sq. km. The state is home to some of the most unique tourist attractions such as its lush valleys, shimmering lakes and meandering rivers, however, the region has recently shot into limelight for its unique backwater system and the Ayurveda centres.

Kerala has also been an important centre of trade since the ancient times. The Europeans contributed a lot towards its development, the evidence of which can still be seen in the numerous colonial structures which have successfully withstood the impact of time. Amongst the major attractions of the state are the beautiful hill station of Munnar and the wildlife habitat at Periyar.

Tourist Attractions in Kerala
Kerala's prominence as a tourist destination can be gauzed from the fact that when National Geographic conducted a survey of the 50 must visit destinations on the planet, Kerala was only one of the two places that found a place on the list from India, the other one being the most magnificent monument of love, the Taj Mahal. The state, with an area of around 38,900 sq km. is replete with numerous fascinating tourist attractions such as placid backwaters, serene beaches, extremely beautiful hill stations, exotic variety of flora and fauna as well as numerous historical monuments.

Every city of Kerala has something to offer the visitors. While regions like Alappuzha, Kochi and Kollam are known for their beaches and shimmering backwaters, others like Munnar are known for their lush tea gardens and pleasant weather. Other must visits while on a tour to Kerala are Kovalam, Kozhikode, Thekkady, Kumarakom and Trivandrum.

Backwaters of Kerala
Backwaters are a fascinating network of lakes, lagoons, canals and other water bodies that mix with the waters of the ocean and in process create a magnificent network of navigable waterways that have recently become the sole reason for tourists to travel to Kerala. A journey on these backwaters in a traditional houseboat is an experience unmatched and the one that you will remember for the rest of your lives. Some of the major backwater destinations of Kerala are Alappuzha, Kollam, Kumarakom, Kochi and Kozhikode.

Beaches of Kerala
The hundreds of kilometers long coastline of Kerala is dotted with some of the most picturesque beaches in the country. Unlike the beaches of Goa, the beaches of Kerala are not much happening and therefore make an ideal location for a quite holiday in the lap of mother nature. Silvery beaches replete with golden sands, swaying palm and coconut trees and ayurveda resorts are a major tourist magnet of the state. Amongst the prominent beaches of Kerala are the Kollam beach, Bekal beach, Alappuzha beach and Varkala beach.

Climate of Kerala
Situated close to the sea, Kerala has a tropical climate where summers can be a bit hot and uncomfortable while winters are extremely pleasant. The maximum

temperature in summers can rise to a high of 35 degrees while the monsoon which lashes the state between June and September is a time ideal for a visit if you are looking to try a few ayurveda therapies. Winters are pleasant with temperature hovering around the mid 20's.

Stay At
Kerala has recently become a hot spot for tourists from around the world. Therefore, a number of hotels and resorts have sprung up all over the state that offer quality accommodation facilities. There are hotels that suit travelers of every budget. A different kind of accommodation option in Kerala are the house boats in the backwaters and the ayurveda resorts.

Getting There
By Air : Kerala has three major airports at Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut and Cochin. The airports at Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin also receive traffic from a few international destinations while the airport at Calicut is a domestic airport which connects the state with all the major cities of India.

By Rail : There are a number of railway stations located across the state. These connect Kerala with every other major city in India through a number of daily trains.

By Road : A well built network of state and national highways runs through the state, connecting it with other cities in and around Kerala. State transport buses provide regular services between various cities of the state. Taxis can also be hired from all the major cities across Kerala.